Improvement in tackle-blocks



3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

J. W. NORCROSS. TACKLE-BLOCK.

No. 189,773. Patented April 17, 1877.

INVENTORI WITNESSES.

MPETERS, PHQTD-LITHDGRAFNER. WASHINGTON. D G

SSheets-SheetZ. I. W. NORCROSS.

TACKLE-BLOCK. No. 189,773. Patented Apr1117, 1877.

Fig. 5.

WITNESSES. INVENTOR. fzr@ Mil 112mm N-PH'ERS, HIOTWUTROGRAPNER.WBNING'IDN. Dr C.

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

J. W. NORCROSS.

TACKLE-BLOCK.

No. 189,773. Patented Apri117, 1877.

INVENTOR,

& E S S E N T W and also when open in broken lines.

. UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH W. NORGROSS, OF- BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN TACKLE-BLOCKS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 189,773, dated April17, 1877; application filed December '9, 1876.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known thatLJOSEPH W. NORGROSS, of the city of Boston, in thecounty of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Tackle- Blocks; and I do hereby declare thatthe following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, whichwill enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make anduse the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and tothe letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of thisspecification.

This invention has reference to improve-- ments applicable to cast-metaltackle-blocks. The different means bywhich the same is carried out areshown in the annexed drawings.

Figure l is an end view of part of a tackleblock, showing the hingedloop secured to both sides of the block-frame in solid lines, Fig. 2 isa side-view of part of the block, showing the latch by which the hingedloop is secured. Fig. 3 shows the application of the hinged loop tosnatch-blocks provided with a hinged portion of one of the side frames,so that a loop or rope can be passed in the block and over the sheave.Fig. 4 is a side view of a metal-frame tackle block, provided -with aswiveled hook, and arranged to be used as a snatch-block. Fig. 5 is asection of the same. Fig. 6 is a view of the same, showing the hingedpiece of the side frame raised. Fig. 7 is a side view of asnatch-blo'ck, to one side of which a chain is connected, and arrangedso that the hook on the other end of thechain will lock the hingedportion of the side frame and secure the block; Fig. 8 is an enlargedend view of the locking device, showing the beveled studs secured toeach side of the frame. a

1n the drawings only single blocks are shown; but double, triple, or anyother kind of block may be arranged the same as the single blocks, sothat the strain will be equally distributed, and the block may beconnected and disconnected by'the same means as herein described.

The. object of the invention is to secure the loop, hook, or otherfastening by which a tackle-block is suspended or secured, so thatspring-bolt.

the block may be readily connected or disconnected, and that the strain,when in use, may be fairly on the two sides of the blockframe.

The invention consists in the arrangement of a hinged loop secured toone side of the block frame, and arranged to enter when closed into aslotted projection on the other side, in which it is secured by a hingedlockhook, which, when in place, is secured by a This arrangement isapplicable to a permanent as well as to a snatch block, as will be seenby reference to Fig. 3.

In cast-metal blocks, and particularly in such in which the block-framesare made so as to combine great strength with lightness, it becomesimportant that the strain exerted on the frame should be equallydistributed over both sides of the block-frame.

It is also important that a tackle-block should be arranged to beinstantaneously connected or disconnected. WVith the open hook theconnection is not sufficiently secure, and when secured by rope or strapit requires too much time to disengage the block.

The arrangement shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 permanently secures thehinged loop by the locking-hook, and this hook to be instantaneouslydisengaged is held by a spring-bolt, so that all the parts are firmlysecured to the tackle-block. They do not interfere with the free workingof the block, and cannot be lost. The block can be quickly secured orreleased, and is nearly self-fastening.

In the drawings, or represents the blocksheave. b and b" are the sideframes. In Figs. 1, 2, and 3, c is the hinge, in which the hinged loop Eis hinged. d d is the slotted projection, into which the loop E enters.f is the hinged locking hook or bolt, which, passing through suitableholes, both in d d and E,

secures the loop E to the side of the block frame. This locking-hook ispermanently secured to the side of the block-frame, and may be held inplace, when locked, by various means; but I prefer the spring-pressedbolt 9 provided with the cap it, which is arranged so that when thelocking hook or bolt f is entered the spring-pressed bolt 9 will enter ahole in the locking-hook, and so hold the same in position.

It will be observed that the bent loop E may be readily passed into achain-link or around a rope, and the block permanently suspended andalso readily disconnected.

All strain exerted on the block will be fairly on each of the two sideframes, and be equally distributed.

When a snatch-block is desired, a portion of the block-frame above thesheave is secured by hinges, as shown in Fig. 3, in which I) is thehinged portion, and i i the hinges. By Withdrawing the locking-hook fthis portion of the side frame may be raised and the rope inserted atany part without first inserting the end of the rope.

Figs. 4, 5, and 6 show the application of the same invention to aswivel-block, and in these a. is the sheave. b and b are the sideframes. 1) is the hinged portion of the side frame. 0 is the swiveledhook. d is thelocking-staple. f is the locking-hook. g is thespring-pressed locking-bolt, and h the cap of the locking-bolt, and Harethe hinges.

The operations arethe same as in the other block before described.

When a double swivel or link-swivel is desired, the staple d is replacedby a pin secured to the upper part of the neck-piece, and arranged topass through a hole in the two side frames, and when the locking-bolt ispassed through a slot in the pin the whole is firmly secured, and adouble swivel or link-swivel operating with reference to the hingedpiece of the side frame and the direct strain on the two side framesexactly like the two blocks described.

In a snatch-block one of the side frames can only be secured below thesheave, so as to allow the loop of a rope to be placed on the sheave.When, now, a log or other weight is placed on the block the side frameis liable to be forced against the sheave. To strengthen the block andprevent the binding on the sheave, I provide the axle with shoulderswhere it enters the side frame, as shown in Fig. 5, in which K is theaxle. By this arrangement the side frames cannot be forced down againstthe sheave, and the same may at all times rotate freely.

Snatch-blocks used on farms or in the woods require to be arranged sothat the block can be readily secured to a tree, or the limb of a tree.Such a block is shown in Figs. 7 and 8, in which a is the sheave; b andb, the side frames; 11*, the hinged portion d, the staple; f, thelocking-hook ll, the chain; and m, a yoke.

The chain is secured to an eye on one side of the frame, to which sidealso the staple d is secured. The hinged portion passes over the staple,and when the hook f is inserted in the staple the block is firmlysecured, the strain is exerted on both the side frames, and the blockmay be readily connected and disconnected.

The yoke m being more than half a circle will support the block when thehook f is disengaged. A plain chain, such as is shown in broken lines,may be used in place of the chain and yoke, and in either case a cheapand convenient fastening device secured.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent 1. The combination, with a cast-metal block, of thehinged loop E, arranged to be secured to both sides of the block-frame,substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. The combination, with acast-lnetal blockframe, of the hinged loop Eand locking-hook f, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

3. In a cast-metal block, the combination, with the locking hook orbolt,of the springpressed bolt 9, substantially as and for the purpose setforth.

4. In a cast-metal snatch-block, the axle K, provided with shoulders,and arranged to support the cast-metal sides, substantially as and forthe purpose described.

5. A cast-metal snatch-block, in which one of the side frames isprovided with an eye and a staple, and the other with a hinged portionarranged to be locked by a hook, substantially as and for the purposespecified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have affixed my signature inpresence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH W. NORGROSS.

Witnesses:

JOSEPH A. MILLER, JOSEPH A. MILLER, Jr.

